Hinged stand with breakaway action

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a hinged stand for supporting an article, which includes a first member that includes a first support recess and a first bearing surface; a second member that includes a second support recess and a second bearing surface; and a breakaway hinged connection between the first and second members, which includes a hinge; and a first bias to constrain the first and second members at an operational non-zero angle relative to one another about the hinge. Another embodiment provides a hinged stand for supporting an article, which includes a first member that includes a hinge pin, a first support recess, and a first bearing surface; and a second member that includes a hook-shaped hinge support, a second support recess, and a second bearing surface; wherein the hook-shaped hinge support is adapted to receive the hinge pin, the hook-shaped hinge support and hinge pin cooperating to provide a breakaway hinged connection between the first and second members. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method, which includes contacting, supporting, or displaying at least one article selected from the group including a musical instrument, stringed musical instrument, guitar, book, sign, picture, placard, display case, and painting with the hinged stand.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design PatentApplication Serial No. 29/193,721, filed Nov. 13, 2003, pending, theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hinged stand for supporting ordisplaying an article. More particularly, the present invention relatesto a hinged stand for supporting or displaying a musical instrument,e.g., a guitar or other stringed instrument.

2. Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,282 discloses a guitar stand with a tripod-likestructure having three rods, two of which are pivotable within aclamping band. U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,021 discloses a compact collapsibleguitar stand with support legs connected to a T-hinge assembly. U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,058,850 and 5,388,798 disclose easels, which are formed froma flat, generally diamond-shaped unitary member. U.S. Pat. Nos.5,350,143, 5,383,634, and 5,713,547 disclose collapsible guitar standswith three support legs pivotally attached to a central member. U.S.Pat. No. 5,497,689 discloses a foldable acoustic guitar stand having agenerally U-shaped structure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,744,735 discloses afolding guitar stand with two legs pivotally connected to a main member,each leg having a foot member with opposing balance rods for support.U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,417 discloses a guitar stand with three legs, two ofwhich having special leg rods for support. U.S. Design Pat. No. 243,492describes a display stand design, and U.S. Design Pat. No. 249,953describes a combined bookholder and bookmark.

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

As is apparent from the above discussion, support stands are known, ingeneral, for supporting and/or displaying items such as musicalinstruments, guitars, and the like. Guitar stands typically support theguitar in an upright or inclined position. Guitar stands usually have alower part, which cradles the guitar body, and an upper part, whichsupports the neck or back of the guitar by providing a point or pointsupon which the neck or back of the guitar rests. Such stands, however,are often large and bulky and are difficult to transport and store. Evenwhen these types of stands are broken down or disassembled, they occupya large volume or have an awkward shape, which makes them difficult totransport and store. The awkward or bulky disassembled form is alsosubject to damage during storage or transport, for example, in the caseof a traveling musical group.

Other stands are known for supporting and/or displaying items such asbooks, paintings (framed and in progress), placards, signs, displaycases, and the like. These stands, in addition to the aforementionedmusical instrument stands, are often delicate—in order to save weight orreduce their size. Such stands are easily and irreversibly broken, forexample, when accidentally knocked over or stepped upon.

Collapsible stands and folding stands are known, but they do not solvethe problems outlined above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the above problems, and others.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a hinged stand forsupporting an article, which includes:

-   -   a first member that includes a first support recess and a first        bearing surface;    -   a second member that includes a second support recess and a        second bearing surface; and    -   a breakaway hinged connection between the first and second        members, which includes:        -   a hinge; and        -   a first bias to constrain the first and second members at an            operational non-zero angle relative to one another about the            hinge.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a hinged stand forsupporting an article, which includes:

-   -   a first member that includes a hinge pin, a first support        recess, and a first bearing surface; and    -   a second member that includes a hook-shaped hinge support, a        second support recess, and a second bearing surface;    -   wherein the hook-shaped hinge support is adapted to receive the        hinge pin, the hook-shaped hinge support and hinge pin        cooperating to provide a breakaway hinged connection between the        first and second members.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a method, whichincludes contacting, supporting, or displaying at least one articleselected from the group including a musical instrument, stringed musicalinstrument, guitar, book, sign, picture, placard, display case, andpainting with the hinged stand described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following description will be better understood when read inconjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustratingthe invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which ispresently preferred, it being understood, however, that this inventionis not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 shows the general parts of one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a detail of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a detail of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a detail of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a section taken in the direction of 4A-4A of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows a detail of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a section taken in the direction of 5A-5A of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention with the stand open.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention with the stand supporting a guitar.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention with the stand closed.

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention with the stand open.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention with the stand closed.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the present invention withthe stand open.

FIG. 12 shows one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood from the following detailed description of the invention,which is not intended to be limiting unless otherwise indicated.

The present invention desirably provides a stand that solves theproblems with conventional stands. It is particularly suited forsupporting and/or displaying any of a musical instrument, stringedmusical instrument, guitar, book, sign, placard, display case, andpainting (framed or in progress). In one embodiment, the stand isadapted to support and/or display a guitar. The stand is designed to becollapsible for easy storage and/or transport, and when so collapsed itassumes a streamlined profile, which is not bulky or awkward. Whenclosed the stand can desirably fit into an instrument case, such as aguitar case, together with the instrument as appropriate. The standdesirably holds the guitar in an upright or inclined position. When inoperation, the stand desirably has a lower part, which cradles theguitar body, and optionally an upper part, which supports the neck orback of the guitar by providing a point or points upon which the neck orback of the guitar rests. Importantly, the stand has a failsafebreakaway hinge feature, which allows the stand to respond to an outsideforce, such as being stepped upon, without being damaged.

In one embodiment, the hinged stand has a first bias to constrain thefirst and second members 1 and 2 at one or more angles with respect toone another. The angle may be suitably formed substantially between therespective major planes 22 and 23 of the first and second members 1 and2 and having the hinge axis 20 as the angle vertex. The first biassuitably constrains the first and second members 1 and 2 at a non-zerooperational angle with respect to one another about the hinge or hingeaxis 20. This may be referred to herein as the operational or “open”position. The structure of this bias is not particularly limited so longas it has the appropriate function, which, in the context of the presentinvention, is to constrain the first and second members 1 and 2 at aparticular angle, to reproducibly release without damage when subjectedto a sufficient additional force, and to reproducibly re-engage withoutdamage for continued use.

The stand can be easily opened and closed between its “open” and“closed” positions. The present invention has the particularly desirablefeature in that if the stand is stepped on while it is sitting on thefloor in its open position, or otherwise subjected to a sufficientangle-opening force, the bias or breakaway hinged connection 9 releases,and the stand can open to a larger angle further and lie flat againstthe ground. As used herein, the term, “bias” may also be referred to asa bias means, but such terminology should not be interpreted asrestricting the invention to any specific structure. The guitar or othersupported article may be suitably held in a near-upright or uprightposition by the stand. The bias constrains the first and second members1 and 2 with a force sufficient to provide the stand with the structuralstability to support the article and not collapse in normal use. When inoperation, the first and second members 1 and 2 are in the openposition, the first and second support recesses 5 and 6 cradle thearticle, and the bearing surfaces provide the “feet” or base upon whichthe stand contacts the underlying supporting surface, such as ahorizontal surface or floor. The constraint, however, is not so strongas to prevent a user from easily closing the stand, e.g., for storage ortransport, and it is not so strong as to prevent the user from easilyopening the stand. In this regard, the user may suitably open and closethe stand with one or both hands, pivoting the members about the hingeto any angle as appropriate. However, when the hinged stand, in anoperational position, is subjected to an excessive force, such as adownward force, e.g., such as when accidentally stepped upon, theconstraining force is overcome, the bias releases the hinge from theoperational or other biased angle, and the stand can open to a largerangle, e.g., and lie flat against the ground. This eliminates stressgoing through the stand and protects it from being damaged. The hingecan thus breakaway without damage to the hinge or stand. Afterwards, theuser can simply fold the first and second members 1 and 2 back into theoperational position and continue using the stand. Thus, the stand maybe easily reassembled for continued use.

Nonlimiting examples of the bias include at least one of a catch, pawl,dog, detent, indentation, protrusion 11, spring, rod 10, groove, springdetent, snap, hinged strip 30, hook and loop fabric (e.g., VELCRO™),magnet, or combination thereof on the first member 1. These componentscooperate with one or more appropriate opposing structures on the secondmember 2, which may include at least one of a catch, pawl, dog, detent,indentation, protrusion 11, spring, rod 10, groove, spring detent, snap,hinged strip 30, hook and loop fabric (e.g., VELCRO™), magnet, orcombination thereof on the second member 2.

In one embodiment, the first bias includes one or more detents on anoutside portion of the hook-shaped hinge support 4 in cooperation with aspringed rod 10 on the second member 2, the springed rod 10 having anaxis defined by its two ends that is approximately parallel to a centralaxis 20 of the hinge. In this embodiment, the detents may be a concaveportion in an otherwise convex outer surface or profile 19 of thehook-shaped hinge support 4, or may be defined by two adjacentprotrusions 11 on the outer surface or profile 19 of the hook-shapedhinge support 4, or a combination thereof.

In the embodiment having the hook-shaped hinge supports 4 and hinge pins3 illustrated in figures, the hinge components 3 and 4 may separate uponbreaking away. In this embodiment, the user can then simply pick thestand up, engage the hinge pin(s) 3 with the hook-shaped hingesupport(s) 4, fold the first and second members 1 and 2 back into theoperational position and continue using the stand.

In one embodiment, the first bias may be a hinged strap 30 such as shownin FIGS. 12, 13 and 14. The hinged strap 30 suitably includes a hingedportion 32 at some point along its length. The hinged portion 32 may beany hinge, but a living hinge is shown in FIGS. 12-14. The hinged strap30 may be connected to the first and second members 1 and 2 with one ormore rotatable features 34. When the stand is closed, the hinged portion32 on the hinged strap 30 suitably folds so that it may suitably stowbetween the closed members 1 and 2. When the stand is opened, the hingedportion 32 of the hinged strap 30 opens, and the hinged strap 30controls the bias angle between the members 1 and 2. The rotatablefeatures 34 allow each leaf of the hinged strap 30 to rotate relative tothe surface of the respective first or second member 1 or 2 to which itis attached. One or both of the rotatable features 34 also provides areleasable connection, wherein when a sufficient angle-opening force issupplied to put the hinged strap 30 under sufficient tension, one orboth of the rotatable features 34 releases from the respective member 1or 2 to which they are attached, and the hinge can thus breakaway. Oneexample of the releasable connection for the rotatable features 34 hastwo or more opposing male bumps 35 on the that snap into two or morerespective female indentations 36. If the stand is stepped on, the malebumps 35 pop out of the female indentations 36, and the stand can openup and fold flat against the floor. The user can simply re-engage themale bumps 35 with the female indentations 36, and the stand is readyfor reuse. The hinged strap 30, hinged portion 32, male bumps 35 andfemale indentations 36 may be made from any material, e.g., plastic.

No other guitar stand has this “breakaway” failsafe hinge feature. Thepresent invention, however, is not limited to guitar stands, and maydesirably be extended to and incorporated in other stands asappropriate, and these other embodiments are within the presentinvention.

Any hinge may be suitably used in the stand in accordance with thepresent invention. One example of a suitable hinge is the combinationhook-shaped hinge support/hinge pin illustrated in the figures. Theinvention is not limited thereto, however. Other suitable hinges includea living hinge, a cloth living hinge, a fibrous living hinge, a plasticliving hinge, a hinge having interspersed hinge supports joined by oneor more hinge pins, butt hinge, butterfly hinge, flush hinge, barrelhinge, concealed hinge, continuous or piano hinge, slip hinge, flaghinge, combinations thereof, and the like. The hinge supports may haveany shape sufficient to pivot around one or more hinge pins, includingloop, cylindrical or hook-shaped. The hinge may be formed as an integralpart of the first or second members or both, or the hinge may beattached to the members by one or more of adhesive, weld, ultrasonicweld, heat weld, solvent weld, fastener, screw, rivet, mechanical snap,combinations thereof, and the like. If appropriate, each side or “leaf”of the hinge, or the first and second members may be independentlyswaged or unswaged relative to the hinge axis. Such swaging may be halfswage, full swage, or offset as appropriate. The hinge may be reverseassembled as appropriate. In one embodiment, a living hinge includes oneor more thin sections of plastic that form a flexible hinged connectionbetween the first and second members. The plastic living hinge materialmay be a flexible plastic such as polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon,polystyrene, their copolymers, combinations thereof, and the like.Combinations of hinges and hinge materials are possible.

One example of a hinged stand with a living hinge is shown in FIGS. 12,13, and 14.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a hinged stand forsupporting an article, which includes:

-   -   a first member 1 that includes a hinge pin 3, a first support        recess 5, and a first bearing surface 7; and    -   a second member 2 that includes a hook-shaped hinge support 4, a        second support recess 6, and a second bearing surface 8;    -   wherein the hook-shaped hinge support 4 is adapted to receive        the hinge pin 3, the hook-shaped hinge support 4 and hinge pin 3        cooperating to provide a breakaway hinged connection 9 between        the first and second members 1 and 2.

In one embodiment, the breakaway hinged connection 9 includes a firstbias to constrain the first and members at an operational non-zero anglerelative to one another having the hinge pin 3 at its vertex. In thisembodiment, the breakaway hinged connection 9 is designed such that itis biased at a non-zero angle when the stand is in operation, e.g.,supporting an article such as a guitar.

Nonlimiting examples of first and second members 1 and 2 are shown inFIG. 1.

Detail of one embodiment of a first member 1 is shown, for example, inFIG. 2. The hinge axis 20 is shown along the axial portion of the hingepin 3 side of the breakaway hinge. Flats 13 are present on several ofthe knuckles 17 to allow a wire rod 10 to enter a slot 12, also shown.The springed rod 10 is one part of one example of a bias.

One embodiment of a second member 2 is shown, for example, in FIG. 5.The section in FIG. 5A shows a detail of a hook-shaped hinge support 4.The inner recess 14 thereof has a hook shape, and the outer surface 19thereof is suitably convex. Detents are shown on the outer surfacethereof, and two wire rod 10 locations 24 and 25 are shown, whichcorrespond to “open” and “closed” locations. The “open” location 24 isone which biases the first and second members 1 and 2 at a non-zeroangle relative to each other. This is one embodiment of the operationalposition. The other “closed” location 25 corresponds to the position ofthe wire when the first and second members 1 and 2 are biased in aclosed position, or are effectively at an approximate angle of zerodegrees with respect to each other. This closed location 25 is suitablefor when the hinge is being stored or transported.

In one embodiment, the non-zero operational or open angle may besuitably between zero and 140 degrees such that when the first andsecond members 1 and 2 are so biased, the first and second supportrecesses 5 and 6 cooperate to support the article. When the first andsecond members 1 and 2 are biased at the non-zero angle, the first andsecond bearing surfaces cooperate to support the hinged stand. Thenon-zero angle may include any angle such as 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17,19, 21, 23, 27, 30, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, and140 degrees as appropriate. In one embodiment, the operational angle isbetween zero and 90 degrees.

The hinged stand can also include more than one bias, including one thatconstrains the first and second members 1 and 2 at an approximately zerodegree angle with respect to one another about the vertex. In anotherembodiment, in addition to constraining the hinged stand to theoperational non-zero angle, the bias constrains the first and secondmembers 1 and 2 at an angle larger than the operational angle, including180 degrees or larger. More than one bias may be present, and any biasmay be used in combination. In one embodiment wherein hook-shaped hingesupports 4 and hinge pins 3 are used such as illustrated in the figures,the bias can be any angle between zero and an angle at which the hingepin 3 may be removed from the hook-shaped hinge support 4.

In the case wherein a plurality of hinge supports 4 are present, adaptedas they are to receive a plurality of hinge pins 3, then one, more thanone, or every hinge support 4 may include at least one bias to constrainthe first and second members 1 and 2 at the operational angle or closedangle. A single hinge support 4 may be suitably adapted to create atleast one component of the bias. Any of a plurality of hinge supports 4may be so adapted, and the single hinge support 4 so adapted may appearanywhere along the hinge axis 20. Mechanically, it may be advantageousto add the hinge bias wherever the hinge has the largest diameter. Thisenables the bias to be most effective, since it acts at the longestpossible torque arm. In the illustrated embodiment, the single hingesupport 4 so adapted is located at a central location along the hingeaxis 20.

The hook-shaped hinge support 4 has an outer portion or profile 19 and ahook-shaped inner recess, so that the inner recess adapted to receivethe hinge pin 3. The recess may be suitably adapted to receive the hingepin 3 at a right angle to its central axis, e.g., at a right angle tothe hinge axis 20.

In one embodiment, the first member 1 of the stand may suitably includea plurality of hinge pins 3, separated and supported by hinge pinknuckles 17. These plural pins have a common central axis, or hinge axis20.

In one embodiment, the second member 2 may also include more than onehook-shaped hinge support 4. These, too, have a common central axis 20,and are adapted to receive a plurality of hinge pins 3.

The knuckles 17 supporting the hinge pins 3 may have any outer profile18. Similarly, the outer profile 19 of the hook-shaped hinge support 4may have any shape. The outer profiles 18, 19 of the knuckles 17 and/orhook-shaped hinge supports 4, and any individual knuckle 17 or supportthereamong, may each be independently circular, elliptical, parabolic,polygonal, triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal,octagonal, and any combination thereof, when viewed in section along thehinge axis 20. If a plurality of hinge pins 3 and hook-shaped hingesupports 4 are present, they may have the same outer perimeters ordiameters as the case may be, or their perimeters or diameters may varyalong the length of the hinge axis 20. In one embodiment, such assubstantially shown in the figures, the centrally located knuckles 17and hook-shaped hinge supports 4 have outer perimeters that are largerthan those at the ends of the hinge axis 20. This gives the hingedconnection a pleasing arcuate shape.

One example of a first member 1 is shown, for example in FIG. 4. Thesection in FIG. 4A shows a detail of one hinge pin 3 and knuckle 17. Thebumps 15 as shown form an inner wall that limits the wire rod 10 flexdirection. The section A-A detail shows two surfaces that create a slot12 in which the wire rod 10 is allowed to flex. The slot 12 is suitablyadapted to secure the wire rod 10 in place in the event the first andsecond members become separated. This eliminates the possibility thatthe user might lose the wire rod 10 if it were to fall out when thefirst and second members are separated.

In one embodiment, the breakaway hinge connection includes an axialportion with first and second ends thereof, the first end being adjacentto the first and second support recesses 5 and 6, and the second endbeing adjacent to the first and second bearing surfaces; and wherein thefirst end provides an additional support surface 21 that cooperates withthe first and second recesses for supporting the article. In anotherembodiment, the breakaway hinged connection 9 includes an axial portionwith first and second ends thereof, the first end being adjacent to thefirst and second support recesses 5 and 6, and the second end beingadjacent to the first and second bearing surfaces; and wherein thesecond end provides an additional bearing surface that cooperates withthe first and second bearing surfaces to support the hinged stand in anoperational position.

As noted above, the breakaway hinged connection 9 is adapted such thatthe first and second members 1 and 2 may be moved from the operationalnon-zero angle to an angle of approximately 180 degrees and greaterwithout damaging the stand. In addition, the breakaway hinged connection9 may be suitably adapted such that the first and second members 1 and 2may be repeatedly moved from the operational non-zero angle to an angleof approximately 180 degrees and greater and back to the operationalnon-zero angle without damaging the stand.

In one embodiment, the first and second members 1 and 2 may berepeatedly moved through any angle between zero and 360 degrees withoutdamaging the stand.

In one embodiment, the breakaway hinged connection 9 may suitably beadapted such that the first and second members 1 and 2 may be repeatedlymoved from the operational non-zero angle to a larger angle andseparated from one another, the hinge pin 3 being removable from thehook-shaped hinge support 4 at the larger angle, and the first andsecond members 1 and 2 may be unhinged accordingly.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the breakaway hinge isadapted such that the first and second members may not be unhinged fromone another. This embodiment has the advantage that the user would notneed to realign the hinge pin 3 to the hook-shaped hinge support.

In one embodiment, the hinged stand includes a separate structure forholding the first and second members 1 and 2 in a closed position, suchas a snap closure, hook and eye closure, magnetic closure, hook and loop(e.g., VELCRO™) closure, and the like.

In one embodiment of the invention, when the first and second members 1and 2 are open in an operational position, the stand assumes a roughlytetrahedral shape, with one face of the tetrahedon substantially definedby the bearing surfaces (e.g., the intersection of the bearing surfaceswith a horizontal surface upon which the stand rests); one facesubstantially defined by the major plane 22 of the first member 1; oneface substantially defined by the major plane 23 of the second member 2;and a fourth face of the tetrahedron substantially defined by a majorplane of the supported instrument or, alternatively, by a planeintersecting the additional support surface 21 and the frontmostprojections of either the bearing surfaces 7 and 8 or the supportrecesses 5 and 6. In this manner, the hinge axis 20 substantiallydefines one edge of the tetrahedron, which is inclined with respect tothe horizontal surface and which forms a load-supporting axis. Ifappropriate, at the uppermost end of the load-supporting axis is theadditional support surface 21, and a bearing surface is at the lowermostend of the load supporting axis.

The assembly procedure for the stand is not particularly limited. In oneembodiment, a small plastic tube 16 is slid over a springed wire rod 10to minimize abrasion between the wire rod 10 and the plastic hinge. Thistube 16 may or may not be necessary depending on the different materialsused for the different parts, which may be selected according to theskill of the ordinary artisan. The wire rod 10, with the plastic tube 16located at the center of the rod 10, is dropped down into its slot 12 inthe first member 1. The second member 2 is then dropped down onto thefirst member 1, with the inner recess 14 of the hook-shaped hingesupport on the second member 2 aligned with the hinge pin on the firstmember 1. As the second member 2 is rotated towards the “closed”position, the wire rod 10 pops over the protrusions 11 on the centerhinge knuckle 17 that create the “detent” feature.

The stand may be easily opened and closed. If the stand is stepped uponwhile it is sitting on the floor in its open position, the wire can popover the center hinge knuckle 17 protrusion 11 and the stand can openand fold flat against the ground. This eliminates stress going throughthe stand and protects it from being damaged. The user can then simplypick the stand up, engage the hinge pin(s) 3 with the hook-shaped hingesupport(s) 4, and fold the first and second members 1 and 2 back intothe operational position and continue using the stand.

The material forming the stand is not particularly limited. The standmay suitably be made of a plastic, metal, wood, or composite material,or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the stand is made ofplastic.

In one embodiment, each member of the stand includes a main plastic bodywhich may have one or more rubber-like cushions 26 attached to it. Inone embodiment, three cushions are used on each member, with two of thecushions 26 provide padding between the stand bearing surface and thefloor, and one of the cushions 26 provides padding between the standsupport recess and/or support surface and the instrument or article.

The cushions 26 can be made from any reasonably soft material which willnot mar the finish on the guitar or floor. The material should be softenough to protect the guitar finish and prevent the guitar from slippingin the stand. Suitable materials include silicone, rubber, vinyl,polyisoprene, TPE™, or KRATON™.

One embodiment is shown, for example, in FIG. 3, wherein the elastomericcushions 26 are attached to the bearing surfaces and recess supports byhard plastic rails 27. The hard plastic rails 27 may be welded,ultrasonically welded, heat welded, or solvent welded down over theelastomeric cushions 26 to secure them in place. Alternatively, therails 27 can be affixed using adhesive, screws, rivets, mechanicalsnaps, or other means, or any combination thereof. In view of costefficacy and bond strength, ultrasonic welding may be advantageous.Alternatively, the cushions 26, without the rails 27, can be directlyaffixed using adhesive, screws, rivets, mechanical snaps, or othermeans, or any combination thereof.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method, whichincludes contacting, supporting, or displaying at least one articleselected from the group including a musical instrument, stringed musicalinstrument, guitar, book, sign, display case, picture, placard, andpainting with the hinged stand described above.

The present invention is not limited to only the breakaway hinges shown.Other types of breakaway hinges may be suitably used in accordance withknown manufactures.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically recited herein.

1. A hinged stand for supporting an article, comprising: a first membercomprising a first support recess and a first bearing surface; a secondmember comprising a second support recess and a second bearing surface;and a breakaway hinged connection between the first and second members,comprising: a hinge; and a first bias to constrain the first and secondmembers at an operational non-zero angle relative to one another aboutthe hinge.
 2. The hinged stand according to claim 1, wherein the firstbias comprises: at least one selected from the group consisting ofcatch, pawl, dog, detent, indentation, protrusion, spring, rod, groove,spring detent, snap, hinged strip, hook and loop fabric, magnet, andcombination thereof on said first member; in cooperation with at leastone selected from the group consisting of catch, pawl, dog, detent,indentation, protrusion, spring, rod, groove, spring detent, snap,hinged strip, hook and loop fabric, magnet, and combination thereof onsaid second member.
 3. The hinged stand according to claim 1, whereinthe hinge comprises one or more living hinge, butt hinge, butterflyhinge, flush hinge, barrel hinge, concealed hinge, continuous or pianohinge, slip hinge, flag hinge, hinge having interspersed hinge supportsjoined by one or more hinge pins, or combination thereof.
 4. The hingedstand according to claim 1, wherein the hinge comprises a plurality ofhinge pins in contact with the first member, the hinge pins having acommon central axis.
 5. The hinged stand according to claim 1, whereinthe hinge comprises a plurality of hinge supports in contact with thesecond member, the hinge supports having a common central axis.
 6. Thehinged stand according to claim 1, wherein the breakaway hingedconnection further comprises a second bias to constrain the first andmembers at an angle of approximately zero degrees relative to oneanother about the hinge.
 7. The hinged stand according to claim 1,wherein the non-zero angle is such that when the first and secondmembers are so biased, the first and second support recesses cooperateto support the article.
 8. The hinged stand according to claim 1,wherein the non-zero angle is between zero and 140 degrees.
 9. Thehinged stand according to claim 1, wherein the non-zero angle is betweenzero and 90 degrees.
 10. The hinged stand according to claim 1, whereinthe non-zero angle is such that when the first and second members are sobiased, the first and second bearing surfaces cooperate to support thehinged stand.
 11. The hinged stand according to claim 1, wherein thebreakaway hinged connection further comprises an axial portion withfirst and second ends thereof, the first end being adjacent to the firstand second support recesses, and the second end being adjacent to thefirst and second bearing surfaces; and wherein the first end provides anadditional support surface that cooperates with the first and secondrecesses for supporting the article.
 12. The hinged stand according toclaim 1, wherein the breakaway hinged connection further comprises anaxial portion with first and second ends thereof, the first end beingadjacent to the first and second support recesses, and the second endbeing adjacent to the first and second bearing surfaces; and wherein thesecond end provides an additional bearing surface that cooperates withthe first and second bearing surfaces to support the hinged stand in anoperational position.
 13. The hinged stand according to claim 1, whereinthe first and second members may repeatedly be moved between an angle ofzero degrees and an angle larger than zero degrees relative to oneanother about the hinge without damaging the stand.
 14. The hinged standaccording to claim 1, wherein the first and second members mayrepeatedly be moved between the non-zero degree angle and an angle ofapproximately 180 degrees relative to one another about the hingewithout damaging the stand.
 15. The hinged stand according to claim 1,wherein the hinged stand is adapted to support at least one articleselected from the group consisting of a musical instrument, stringedmusical instrument, guitar, book, sign, picture, placard, display case,and painting.
 16. A method, comprising contacting, supporting, ordisplaying at least one article selected from the group consisting of amusical instrument, stringed musical instrument, guitar, book, sign,picture, placard, display case, and painting with the hinged standaccording to claim
 1. 17. A hinged stand for supporting an article,comprising: a first member comprising a hinge pin, a first supportrecess, and a first bearing surface; and a second member comprising ahook-shaped hinge support, a second support recess, and a second bearingsurface; wherein the hook-shaped hinge support is adapted to receive thehinge pin, the hook-shaped hinge support and hinge pin cooperating toprovide a breakaway hinged connection between the first and secondmembers.
 18. The hinged stand according to claim 1, wherein the hingesupports further comprises at least one recess that is adapted toreceive the hinge pin at a right angle to its central axis.
 19. Thehinged stand according to claim 1, wherein the breakaway hingedconnection further comprises a first bias to constrain the first andsecond members at an operational non-zero angle relative to one anotherhaving the hinge pin at its vertex, and wherein the first bias comprisesa detent on an outside portion of the hook-shaped hinge support incooperation with a springed rod on the second member, the springed rodhaving an axis defined by its two ends that is approximately parallel toa central axis of the hinge.
 20. The hinged stand according to claim 1,wherein the hook-shaped hinge support comprises a convex outer portionand a hook-shaped inner recess, the inner recess adapted to receive thehinge pin.